Strip dispenser and moistening means for same



June 20, 1944. GAUTlER 2,352,149

v STRIP DISPENSER AND MOISTENING MEANS FOR SAME Filed Nov. 14, 1941 :5Sheets-Sheet 1 1712762713 02 li evo r12. Gqu 171362,

I June 20, 1944. T. R. GAUTIER STRIP DISPENSER AND MOISTENING MEANS FORSAME Filed Nov. 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 20, 1944.

T. R. GAUTIER V STRIP DISPENSER AND MOISTENING MEANS FOR SAME Filed Nov.14; 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 dzliij s.

III!!! a g Inveni/or: Trevoz'B. (HI/202521492:

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 1,1,1,"lllllllllllllllllln Patented June 20, 1944STRIP DISPENSER AND MOISTENING MEANS FOR SAME Trevor R. Gautier, Nashua,N. 11., assignor to Nashua Gummed and Coated Paper Company, Nashua, N.11., a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 14, 1941,Serial No. 419,111

9 Claims.

My present invention pertains to apparatus and devices for dispensing orserving strip material suchas gummed paper and other tape for packagesealing, labeling and like purposes. particularly it aims to simplifyand otherwise improve machines and devices of the class mentioned,having among its important objects that of aflording more efllcient andposiitvely controlled means for moistening the tape or rendering itadhesive.

In the drawings illustrating by way of example one embodiment of myinvention:

Fig. 1 is a left side elevation of the strip or tape dispenser as awhole;

Fig. 2 is a top plan of the moistening assembly of the machine of Fig.1, shown separately and on a larger scale;

Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively longitudinal and transverse verticalsections on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Fi 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section substantially centrallythrough the front portion of the machine of Fig. 1, upon the scale ofFigs. 2 to 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-section on the line 3-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a detail view, in rear elevation, of a guiding and shieldingelement of the invention.

The strip server or tape dispenser as here illus.. trated may beregarded as typical of the machines and devices of that class, in so faras conearns the general construction and arrangement of the tape supplyreceiving means and the mechanism for advancing and severing selectedlengths of the tape. In'the example shown the machine is generallysimilar in those respects to those of my Patents Nos. 2,192,132 and2,244,105, dated February 27, 1940, and June 3, 1941, and of my herewithcopending application Serial No. 320,301, filed February 23, 1940, nowPatent No. 2,293,433, dated August 18, 1942, said application filed as adivision of the application from which said PatentNo. 2,192,132resulted. Noting more particularly Figs. 1 and 5, the

machine comprises a main frame or housing in cluding laterally spacedside frames I having cushioned or other supporting feet 8 and aremovable top or cover plate 9. The rear portion of the housing definesa well 10 for a supply of tape such as the roll R here assumed to bewound with its gummed face in.

The tape T is led forwardly from the roll between adjustable lateralguide plates II and through a feed throat l2 at an open portion of whichthe tape passes between upper and lower feed rolls l3 and I4 drivinglyconnected with a More 1 manual operating lever, the handle end of \whichis seen at IS in Fig. 1. The upper feed roll 13 is rotatably carried ona lever l6 pivotally supported by a shaft ll extending between the sideframes. This lever normally is held rearwardly as by a spring l8 so asto engage the upper feed rol yieldingly against the tape opposite thedriven lower feed roll 14.

Selected lengths of the strip or tape T are severed by appropriatecutting mechanism, herein including a vertically movable blade or cutteri9 normallyelevated above the tape path and cooperable with anunderlying fixed blade 20. This movable blade is supported on a carrieryoke 2| pivoted on the shaft l1 already mentioned and normally held inelevated position as by a spring 22. One or more springs such as 23attached to depending portions '24 of the movable blade or its carrierserve to bias the movable cutter for efiicient shearing action.

Forwardly of the described cutting mechanism the under face of the tapeis adapted to be moistened, through the meduim of the guiding andmoistening mechanism with which my present invention is moreparticularly concerned. Said mechanism comprises a capillary moistenerunit or assembly constructed and arranged to be readily removed from andinstalled in the machine.

This moistening assembly comprises a tank or reservoir indicated as awhole by the numeral 30 having a main portion, compartment or body ofgenerally rectangular form. it is illustrated as cast or otherwiseformed as an integral one-piece element including a bottom wall 3|,upright front and rear walls 32, 33 and connecting side. walls 3 35.

It is proportioned and arranged to be removably supported between thelower front portions of the side frames 1, with its forward endprotruding, as seen for example in Figs. 1 and 5. In this installedposition the inner or rear portion of the reservoir rests uponpositioning projections on the side frames, one of which is seen at 36in Fig. 5. At a forward portion of the reservoir is further supported bya cross rod 31 on the side frames, depending slotted or longitudinallyspaced lug formations 38 at the bottom of the reservoir being adapted tostraddle said rod and so to hold the reservoir in the longitudinaldirection, against unintentional displacement. To remove the reservoirand entire moistening assembly bodily it is merely necessary however toraise its front end sufliciently to clear the positioning formations 38with respect to the coating, that is, its particular formula.

rod 31, whereon the whole unit may be withdrawn forwardly;

The main compartment defined by the bottom and upright walls 3| to 35 ofthe tank 30 is to be supplied with water or other liquid for moisteningthe under face of the tape. It also is to carry the moistener means orelement proper and to present the latter in operative position totransfer and apply the moisture to the tape. Such means is here of thecapillary type, in this case an inverted brush moistener elementcomprising one or more brush sections 39 and 40 having supporting butt39a, 400. These two brush sections of the main moistener element properstand in an upright position, with their butts on the reservoir bottomwall or on shallow longitudinal ribs 4| on the latter. They areoperatively positioned lengthwise the machine between transverseupstanding fins 42, 43, 44 herein formed integrally with the tank walls.A best seen in plan in Fig. 2, these positioning fins are interruptedand of less extent laterally than the width of the reservoir, so thatthe water or moistening liquid may pass freely to all portions of thelatter.

The described moistener element 39, 40 is herein located at a lengthwiseintermediate portion of the reservoir as a whole, below andsubstantially vertically opposite a pair of floating corrugated guidingand weighting rolls 45, 46, which may be generally similar as-irimypatents previously mentioned. They are rotatably and vertically movablydisposed on pins-41, 48 extending between carrier blocks on the sideframes, one of which blocks is seen at 49, Fig. 5. Behind the guiderolls 45, 46 is an upper guide plate 50 adapted to rest on the top faceof the tape T, opposite an underguide 5|. Said upper guide 50 isvertically movable, being herein pivotally associated with thepositioning pin 46 of the rear roll 46. These upper and lower guidemembers 50. 5| constitute in effect a forward extension of the feedthroat, beyond the severing means up to the moistening element. It willbe understood that the advancing length of,tape, as it passes frombetween the guides 50, 5| moves across the capillary moistener 39, 40with its face in moistening contact therewith. the rolls 45, 46 servingas pre sure means resting by gravity on the upper face of the tape andinsuring proper moistening coaction between the under gummed face of thelatter and the moistener.

The correct amount of moisture for rendering the gummed face of the tapeefficiently adhesive depends on a number of variable factors. Importantamong these are the thickness of the gum or glue coating, and thecharacter of such These factors may vary as between different tapemanufacturers or as between different tape products of a givenmanufacturer. Other factors are the weight, thickness and relativerigidity of the paper or other base web of the tape. Still others arethe character of the moistening liquid. generally water, and the natureof the surface to which the moistened tape is to be applied. Forexample; the available water may be relatively hard or it may be soft,requiring a greater or a less quantity for optimum adhesive-renderingpurposes, as further dependent on the given glue formula and thicknessof the glue coating. The terms water and liquid are herein intended toinclude any preferred moistening fluid such for example as thatincluding a percentage of glycwhich the tape is to be adhered is glossyand hence relatively non-absorptive, a less quantity of the moisteningfluid is needed than where such receiving surface is more absorptive.

Depending on these various factors and circumstances, a predeterminableand rather deflnite quantity of moisture will give best tapemoisteningresult in any particular case. The quantity of liquid furnished by themoistening means such as a brush or like capillary conveyor and applyingdevice is in turn dependent on the level of the water supply in thebrush chamber. Accordingly I herein provide for selecting andmaintaining one of an available plurality of water levels in saidchamber or moistener reservoir. In some instances two selective levels,one relatively high and the other relatively low will take care of themajority of the variable factors above mentioned. As a result ofextensive tests, however, it has been established that within the rangeof three different liquid levels the entire requirement, as to quantityof moisture application, can be effectively covered, for all practicalpurposes. And it has further been determined that levels ofapproximately 1.3 in., 1.7 in. and 2.00 in. below the top ortape-engaging portion of the capillary moistener or brush as measureddownwardly along it, are the ones appropriate. That is, those particularhigh, medium and low levels are the most representative and will affordthe desired moisture-quantity application, within the limits ofefficient moistening, for the greatest number of situations as to theabove mentioned variations in glue thickness, formula, weight of stock,surface for application and the others, including atmosphericconditions.

Accordingly my present invention provides for positive maintenance andcontrol of the liquid level in the brush compartment, at any of aplurality of selectively available predetermined levels below the upperfree end of the brush element.

For this purpose I have provided the reservoir 30 with a.level-controlling portion herein illustrated as an auxiliary chamber orcompartment 55 in the nature of a trough or the like open at the top andhaving an inclined rear wall 56. This level-controlling chambercommunicates with the main compartment of the reservoir 30 through acurved neck 51 of laterally flattened tubular form in cross-section. Theinner end of this attaching neck opens at 58 into the main chamber ofthe reservoir herein through its side wall 35, as best seen in Fig. 5,while its outer end opens at 59, Fig. 4, into the auxiliary chamber 55through its adjacent vertical wall portion.

This laterally offset control chamber 55 and the neck or conduit 51 arerigidly united with each other and with the reservoir 30 in supportedand liquid-tight relation to it. As illustrated they are cast integrallywith the main compartment so that the whole constitutes a structuralunit. To facilitate such casting the neck 51 may initially be made openat the top and then capped by a top piece 51a. While any otherconvenientconstruction may be employed desirably it is such that thelevel-controlling element 55 is a self-supporting connected part of themoistening assembly as a whole so as to be removable and replaceablewith the latter and requiring no separate manipulation or adjustmentrelative to it.

This auxiliary or level-controlling compartment or trough 55 so locatedvertically relative erine. Further, if the surface of the article to 7iv the main compartment of which it is in efiect a portion, and isitself of such vertical extent that its bottom wall is at least somewhatbelow the lowest level and its circumferential wall extendssubstantially above the highest level desired for the liquid in thereservoir 30. The same also applies to the connecting neck 51, thepassage in which is here shown as substantially co-extensive in heightwith the trough 55.

Within the control compartment 55 is a plurality of stops or positioningformations, herein a series of three such elements correspondingrespectively to three different predetermined levels for the liquid. Forsimplicity in manufacture these several stops or seating formations areformed as parts of an upright longitudinal flange 50 rising centrallyfrom the bottom wall of the trough 55. Along its upper portion thisflange 60 is notched to provide a series of steplike seats each having acentral positioning and level-indicating lug or post 6|, 62, 63respectively.

On the adjacent side frame I of the machine, herein the left side,avoiding interference with the operating lever I5, there is swiveled ona horizontal pivot as at 54 a U-shaped clamp or clip 65. This clip isadapted to receive the body of an inverted container illustrated as aflat bottle or flask 66 having a restricted mouth 51 of a size to fltover and seat around any selected one of the series of threelevel-indicator stops 6|, 52, 63. The holding means such as the clip 65may be otherwise located than on the side frame, as for instance on oras a part of the control chamber 55 itself. It is constructed andarranged to support the flask in different upright positions,substantially as shown in Fig. 1; see also Fig. 3. In this instance theswivel mounting 54 for the clip permits the container or flask 55 toadjust itself to different angular positions, corresponding to theseveral selective stops Bl to 63.

As seen in the full line position in Fig. l and also in Fig. 3, theflask 65, which it will be understood contains a reserve supply of wateror moistening liquid, is set for maintaining the medium liquid level.This container desirably is of glass or other transparent material, sothat the supply of water or other moistening fluid in it may readily beobserved. As a further aid in that connection the holding member 65 mayhave one or more recesses or windows 65a which also give access to thecontainer to aid in removing it from or adjusting it in the clip.

As best seen on the larger scale in Fig. 3, the mouth 51 of the flask B6stands at an angle to the horizontal, at about 45 as illustrated, withits lower part in the. notch below and behind the middle or medium levelstop 52 and its upper part in the notch in front of said stop 62 andagainst the next adjacent or top-level stop 6|. Said occupied mediumstop 62 is enclosed by the flask mouth. It will be seen that "the actuallevel at which the liquid will be maintained is determined by thehighest point of the flask mouth, that is, the point or level at whichair can first enter the flask when the level of the liquid outside theflask so permits. For the operators convenience and in order to serve asa positive indicator of the level at which the liquid will be maintainedwhen a given stop is selected such as the medium stop 62 in Fig. 3, theflask mouth and associated stops are so proportioned and arranged thatthe top faces of the several stops lie at or approximately at thecorresponding levels of the topmost portion of the flask mouth when theflask is set in position on them. Hence said top faces of the stops arealso in fact disposed at the several corresponding liquid levels, andserve as accurate indicators of the true liquid level in the reservoir30, so long as some liquid remains in the flask. Thus it is notnecessary to withdraw the reservoir to inspect the water level.

Assume now that the reservoir has initially been filled roughly to thelevel selected, for example, the medium level corresponding to the,

indicator-stop 62. This may be done by withdrawing the moisteningassembly and filling directly into the main chamber 'or the reservoirmay be left in place in the machine and the control trough 55 used as afilling spout. The flask 86, filled with water, is then inverted and setdown over the stop 62 and into the clip 65, as in the full line showingof Fig. 1. In the subsequent use of the machine and through evaporationthe water level will drop in the main chamber and in the connecting neckand auxiliary trough 55, in all of which it stands the same, but

will descend only to the selected control level, at

which the then uppermost point of the flask mouth is exposed justsufficiently to permit air to bubble into the flask. Simultaneouslysufficient water is released from the supply in the flask to restore andmaintain the desired level, in this instance the medium level, indicatedby the central stop 52, the released water serving also to reestablishthe air seal at the -flask mouth and so cut oil further discharge forthe time being. This periodic balancing level-controlling actioncontinues automatically so long as any appreciable quantity of waterremains in the flask, the latter as shown being ample for any ordinaryoperating period, such as a working day.

As seen in Fig. 2, the level-indicating top faces of the several stopsBI, 52, 53 may bear indicia such as the numerals l, 2 and 3 or H, M andL for high, medium and low, to assist theoperator in selecting theproper control level. The. several corresponding levels of the liquidare represented diagrammatically on Figs. 3 and 4 by the light brokenlines numbered l, 2 and 3.

Any predetermined maximum, medium and minimum levels may be providedfor, spaced from each other proportionately to the degree of moisturevariation desired. As previously stated, appropriate water levels forthe tank of a brush moistener such as the present, satisfactorilycovering a wide range of variation in moisture-determining factors, areabout 1.3 in., 1.7 in. and 2.00 in. below the glue-engaging portion ofthe brush, for the high, the medium and the low levels respectively. Thenumbered stops of the level-control chamber and the correspondinglynumbered levels indicated herein by said broken lines on Figs. 3 and 4accordingly may be regarded as representing those particular levels, orany other predetermined levels preferred. For most average conditionsthe medium or No. 2 level will be found appropriate. But whenever moremoisture is desirable at the gummed face of the tape, due to one oranother of the variant factors mentioned, such result is readily had byutilizing the higher or No. 1 level. This is effected merely by shiftingthe flask from the full line No. 2 position of Fig. l to the dotted No.1 level position there shown, the flask and if necessary also thereservoir of course being first replenished if needed to bring the levelinitially to the No. 1 or high stage and to provide a reserve supply inthe flask. Similarly, where less moisture is required, the lower or No.3 maintenance level is appropriate and is immediately available byadjusting the flask down onto the No. 3 indistructed path of delivery.For this purpose I cator-stop. may employ means such as disclosed andclaimed This provision for readily obtaining with cerin my prior PatentNo. 2,085,714, dated June 29, tainty any one of a plurality ofpredetermined 1927 I have herein however illustrated imliquid levels, asby the means herein shown and 5 proved means for the purpose, in novelcombinadescribed by way of example, contributes matetion with themoistening assembly as a whole rially to the all-round work capacity ofthe tape and with the dispensing machine in which the dispensingmachines so equipped, and simplifies latter is embodied. As best seen inFigs. 5 and 6 the servicing of such machines in the hands of the body ofthe cover element 13 is recessed imcustomer users. Given thecharacteristics of lo mediately behind the brush positioning apertureany particular tape that a customer wishes to use I2, to receive amasking or shielding and guidand the surface which is to receive it, themaing element 80 disposed below the tape path chine manufacturer havingdetermined whether and extending entirely across the latter.

an average moisture quantity or a greater or a This tape guiding shield80 normally o less quantity is appropriate, n m r y instruct id pies anelevated position substantially as shown the customer to set thelevel-control device at in Fig. 5, in which its smooth upper face 8|prestop No. 2, No. 1 or No. 3 as the case may be. sents a forward andupward extension of the This simple. positive and nmistakable adl lttape-guiding top face of the cross bar 'I'I. In ment, as afforded bythe described means, then t position th advancing tape is directedupinsures correct moistening results. Thus the wardly to a level abovethe tip of the front moistservicing of machines in the field issimplified and ener 19, causing t t be delivered pest and out theexpense thereof reduced. of moistening contact with the latter. When Inaddition to the main mois n elements the front moistener is to be used,generally for 38, already described th moistening assembly moisteningsome separate strip or sheet, such as of my present invention comprisesalso a seo- 3 an ad essing label, the guiding hi ld an is ad.- ondary orauxiliary moistener element 10, avail- 11y depressed to expose themoistening end or able at all times for moistening separate or prethefront brush 10, the top guide f 3| of the cut strips such as labels andthe like, and shield forced down to a level at or below thesupplementaliy mois ni the tape P latter. This is readily accomplishedby the option of it manually sho ld that be desired- The 80 erator inthe natural action of wiping or drawing term label" as here n used isintended the web, strip or label to be moistened, across clude anypre-cut or separate strip, sheet or other and in pressing Contact withthe brush 10. article to be molstene In the illustrated example thevariably posi- As herein illu r referring Particularly to tionableshield and guide 80 is represented as Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6, thesupplementary moistening it formed of similar molded plastic as for thetop brush h ving a butt is cited at the plate 13 as a whole. Forlightness it is made extended front portion of the reservoir ill, wherehollow, being of a general triangular or wedge it is operativelyPositioned as in seats shape in cross-section, having a smooth arcuatein upstanding ribs 1 1| extending lengthwise forward and underface inadapting the shield the reservoir between its front wall 32 and the 40to Swing down along or behind the brush forward transverse fi 0f theseries Previously This shield member 80 may be internally reinmentioned.The hairs or bristles of the brush forced as by ribs 83 and verticalfins a It is 10 are of a len to Project abOve the reset closed laterallyby side walls 85 formed with uwalls and through a lo y confining ape!"transversely aligned bearing apertures adapted to ture 12 in a coverplate reservoir element I receive removable pintles 86 by means of which13. This element may be variously constructed the shield is hereinpivomny supported for its but conveniently n as Shown it is integrallymovement between its masking or elevated posimolded from a pl material-It here tion and its depressed or moistener-exposing poprises agenerally rectangular body or frame ll sitiom The supporting pintles 5are shdably proportioned to fit a d seat On the reservoir received incorresponding lateral apertures exwalls. Lateral arms 15 extendrearwardly from tending inwardly through the side walls of the said plte o y. also seetlhs 0n the reservoir cover frame I4. They are normallyheld inposi- Side Walls and formed mternal flanges tion their inner ends86a projecting through I6 serv as l t a s pp rtin u d s at the theapertured side walls 85 of the shield, as by sides Of the brush elements39, Of the main means of screws 81 extending down through apmoistenerunit. propriate holes in the cover plate body I4, into Said frame or boy 14 also includes a real receiving apertures 88 tapped in the adjacentcross bar 'I'I which herein serves in P to P- side walls 34, 35 of thereservoir or in vertical p rt and position the upper end of the frontcolumn-like reinforcing bosses 34a, 35a at the brush section 39 of themain moistener element, a inner faces of i ll h shield-supporting beinglocated at or just below the point of depintles 86are drilledtransversely as at 86b for livery of the tape from between the latterand passage of said retaining screws 81. On removal the floating guiderolls l5, 46. The outer or top of the latter the two supporting pintlesmay be face of this cross piece 11 follows an upward and withdrawnlaterally, freeing the shield for forward curve, adapting it to guidethe free end I cleaning or replacement. of the advancing length ofmoistened tape T The variable positionable shielding and guidtoward aposition at the front of the machine ing element is proportioned andarranged in aswhere it may readily be engaged by the operator. sociationwith the upper end of the auxiliary Since in the ordinary operation ofdelivering moistener 10 so that it normally stands in the moistenedlengths of tape from the roll supply 10 elevated or masking position ofFig. 5. It is held th supplemental m i t n 10 d s not come in andreturned to this normal elevated position into play, means are providedwhereby the by suitable spring means, herein carried by the moistenedtape length is automatically conducted u e-shield 80 by means f a re rwrd pr cforwardly past and out of moistening contact tion 89 from itsunder wall 82.v Said projection with the front moistener 10 and along anunob- (I has riveted or otherwise secured to it a bowed.

leaf spring 90, seen in Fig. and in detail in Fig. '7. The reverselyturned end portions of this spring 90 have a transverse sliding bearingengagement upwardly against the stationary cross bar ll, herein againsta transverse bearing rib formation Ila at the under face of the latter.Said cross bar also serves as a downlimiting stop for the guide-shieldby engagement with its rear projection 89, through the central fixedpart of the spring 90.

As previously noted, the moistener positioning fins 42, 43, H on thereservoir bottom wall are interrupted and so permit passage of the wateror other liquid to all portions of the reservoir 30, including theforward portion at which the auxiliary tape and label moistener ishoused. Consequently the liquid stands at the same level throughout thewhole tank assembly, at one and the same controlled predetermined levelrelative both to the main and to the supplemental moistening elements.Both the latter accordingly are subject to the level-controlling actionof the regulating trough and flask mechanism already described. In otherwords, the selecting of the No. 1 level or the No. 3 level for example,by the appropriate positioning of the flask on the selected indicatorstop ill or 63, automatically adjusts and maintains the same desiredlevel for and at the front moistener as in connection with the main.moistening element 39, 40. It will also be observed that theguide-shield or masking element 80 serves by contact with the moistenedface of the issuing tape to distribute the moistening liquid and toremove any abnormal explication, a frame, a tape supply support, feedingmeans to move lengths of the tape to a delivery station, a tank formoistening liquid demountably positioned on the frame adjacent thedelivery station, a moistener device'vertically disposed in the tankto-conduct and apply liquid therefrom to the tape moved by said feedingmeans, a trough-like control compartment for liquid offset from thetank, a conduit rigidly connecting the compartment .andthe tank andaffording passage for liquid between them at levels between desiredupper and lower limits, a flasklike liquid container adapted forinverted -positioning with its mouth in the trough-like compartment,means on the machine frame for so holding said container, andcontainer-position-' ing stop means defining a plurality of selectivelyavailable positive position adjustments for the container in thecompartment in vertically spaced relation to one another each to disposethe container mouth therein so as to release liquid at a correspondingdifferent but predetermined level to be maintained in the tank.

2. In a tape dispensing machine according to claim 1, the constructionand arrangement wherein level-identifying indi'cla are provided inassociation with the container-positioning stop means of the controlcompartment.

3. Delivering and moistening means for tape dispensing machines and thelike, said means comprising, in combination, a liquid reservoir, anapplicator for liquid therefrom, tape guiding means defining a path tothe applicator, a tapeand-label moistener element vertically disposedfor receiving moisture from the reservoir, a liquid-level controlcompartment on the reservoir, means affording communication'for liquidbetween said compartment and the reservoir at all levels between thedesired maximum and minimum, container means presenting a liquid supplyfor admission to said compartment and thence to the reservoir, and aplurality of positive and alternatively available location-definingelements respectively at different levels to present means forsupporting container means selectively in one or another of a likenumber of positions thereby to release its liquid to the compartment atthe selected one of a corresponding number of different but determinedlevels.

4. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a support for tapesupply, feeding means to advance the tape, a tape delivery guide,tapemoistening means for wetting the gummed race of the tape as itapproaches said guide, and other moistening means adjacent ,saidtapemoistening means, said guide comprising movable means for masking orexposing one of said moistening means, a tank for supplying liquid toboth moistening means, an inverted container for reserve liquid movablyassociated with the tank and adapted to supply liquid to it, and a.pinrality of fixed locating formations individually disposed atdifferent levels and selectively available to present means forpositioning the container to release its liquid so as automatically tomaintain the liquid in the tank at a corresponding plurality ofdifferent but calculated levels. 5. In combination with the liquid tankand tape moistening means of a tape-dispensing machine, a tape-and-labelmoistening brush disthe brush for further tape moistening and for'label-moistening purposes, an inverted container for reserve liquidmovably associated with the tank and adapted to supply liquid to it, anda plurality of fixed locating formations individually disposed atdifferent levels and selectively available to present means forpositioning the container to release its liquid so as automatically to'maintain the liquid in the tank at a corresponding plurality ofdifierent but calculated levels.

6. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a frame a supportthereon for a tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape from thesupply, a tank for liquid, a capillary tapemoistening element having alower portion received in the liquid of the tank, and automaticlevel-maintaining means for the liquid including a positionallyadjustable reserve-liquid container having a down. outlet at its lowerportion and positioning stop means for defining a plurality ofpredetermined alternative container positions disposed at differentheights to afford selectively any one of a corresponding plurality ofdifferent positive predetermined liquid levels.

'7. In a gummed tape serving machine, in combination, a frame, a supportthereon for a. tape supply, feeding means to advance the tape from thesupply, a tank for liquid, a capillary tapemoistening element having alower portion received in the liquid of the tank, a trough-likeauxiliary chamber, a conduit communicating between the chamber and tank.an inverted flask adapted to supply reserve liquid to the chamber andthence to the tank, and a plurality of correlated stops ilxed on thechamber in vertically spaced relation to each other for respectivelyditferently positioning the flask to release its liquid at acorresponding number of different but positively predetermined levels ofthe liquid in the chamber and tank.

8. In moistening mechanism for gummed tape dispensing apparatus having atank for liquid and a tape-engaging capillary moistener verticallydisposed to be supplied therefrom, in combination therewith, a liquidreceiving chamber communicating with the tank, a liquid container havingan outlet, and means to mount the container for gravity flow of liquidfrom its outlet to the chamber, said means including a plurality ofselectively available fixed container-position controllers at differentlevels each to dispose the contamer outlet to aflord a correspondingdiflerent but predetermined liquid level in the chamber and tank.

9. In a gummed tape dispensing machine having a frame. a tape rollsupport, means defining a path for the tape, a tank for moisteningliquid adiacently below the tape path, and a capillary device verticallydisposed to be supplied from the tank and adapted for moistening contactwith a gummed face of the tape, in combination therewith, a liquidreceiving chamber associated with the tank, a passage for liquid fromthe chamber to the tank, a liquid supply container having an outlet atits lower portion, and means including a plurality of differentlyvertically disposed positioning elements selectively available forpresenting the container with its outlet at diflerent levels in thechamber thereby to afford corresponding positive predetermined liquidlevels in the chamber and tank.

TREVOR R. GAUTIER.

